Glutathione S-Transferase (GST) Gene Diversity in the Crustacean Calanus finmarchicus – Contributors to Cellular Detoxification

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123322
• Publication Date: 2015-05-06T18:13:38Z
• Authors: Vittoria Roncalli; Matthew C. Cieslak; Yale Passamaneck; Andrew E. Christie; Petra H. Lenz
• Keywords: Calanus finmarchicus; Glutathione S-transferase

Detoxification is a fundamental cellular stress defense mechanism, which allows an organism to survive or even thrive in the presence of environmental toxins and/or pollutants. The glutathione S-transferase (GST) superfamily set enzymes involved detoxification process. This highly diverse protein characterized by multiple gene duplications, with over 40 GST genes reported some insects. However, less known about marine organisms, including crustaceans. availability two de novo transcriptomes for copepod, Calanus finmarchicus, provided opportunity depth study crustacean. were searched putative GST-encoding transcripts using proteins from three arthropods as queries. identified then translated into proteins, analyzed structural domains, and annotated reciprocal BLAST analysis. Mining yielded total 41 predicted belonging cytosolic, mitochondrial microsomal classes. Phylogenetic analysis cytosolic GSTs validated their annotation six different subclasses. are likely represent products distinct genes, suggesting that diversity C. finmarchicus exceeds rivals described Analysis relative expression developmental stages indicated low levels embryos, relatively high late copepodites adult females several GSTs. A diet complex life history factors might be driving multiplicity this copepod commonly exposed variety natural toxins. Hence, pathway may well key survival.